Letter:Best wayto keep neighbours sweet
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: Jack Straw may be right, as you suggest in your leading article of 18 September, to try and reframe the law on neighbour nuisance. The Community Safety Order, carrying a possible imprisonment penalty for infringement, is certainly a radical measure. However, it fails to recognise a basic fact: the vast majority of neighbour disputes are two-sided affairs in which problems have escalated, often from small beginnings.
Labour would do well to consider alternatives to measures that run the risk of escalating hostility even further. Mediation, as an effective means of conflict resolution, is increasingly accepted and encouraged in a variety of arenas. In the field of neighbour disputes there are about 25 voluntary mediation services nationwide. These services build consensus in the community by helping neighbours in the peaceful resolution of disputes and by teaching negotiating skills. All services are independent and have the usual struggle to raise funds.
What about a pledge to support such measures? Mediation offers a far greater hope for the lasting resolution of conflict than an imposed order such as the one Mr Straw is advocating.
MARION STEVENSON
Chair, Oxford Community Mediation
Oxford
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments